Irak

[Shahab3]

07/24/13
Washington concerned about Iran-Iraq gas deal

Washington is concerned about a $14.8 billion gas deal, which was signed by Iran and Iraq on Sunday, according to which Iran will supply Iraq with natural gas for four years. The deal offers Tehran a respite from sanctions and Iraq a needed energy source, and has already prompted concerns in Washington.

The deal would double Iran's natural-gas exports and require expanded production from a gas field whose development has been hindered by international sanctions, according to a senior Iranian oil and gas official.

According to the deal, Iran would pump 25 million cubic meters of natural gas per day to the Iraqi power plants. Based on the agreement, Iran would earn $3.7 billion a year from natural gas exports to Iraq.

The U.S. has asked the Iraqi government about the deal, a U.S. State Department spokeswoman said Monday. Baghdad "has been receptive to these discussions in the past and has expressed its desire to remain compliant with U.S. sanctions," she said. "We would, of course, make clear the implications were any activity to be deemed as at variance with U.S. sanctions."
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Militants kill 14 Shi'ites after checking ID cards in north Iraq
TIKRIT, Iraq | Wed Jul 24, 2013 6:35pm EDT

(Reuters) - Militants shot dead 14 Shi'ite tanker-drivers after checking their identity papers at a makeshift roadblock on the main route leading north from the Iraqi capital late on Wednesday, police said.

The killings took place near Sulaiman Pek, 160 km (100 miles) north of Baghdad, following clashes inside the town between militants and the police and army.

Sunni Islamist militants have been regaining momentum in their insurgency against the Shi'ite-led government in recent months
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